MPs from the pastoralist communities say they have put aside their differences and come together to fight ‘criminal elements’ behind the animosity that has often led to deadly clashes in their regions.

The Pastoralist Parliamentary Group, a caucus of 102 legislators from the pastoralist communities, said that they will not allow the people they represent to engage in conflict.

Often, communities, especially from the Northern region, have engaged in deadly ethnic clashes.

Banditry and livestock rustling are the other challenges facing the region.

Group Patron Saku MP Dido Rasso said that the lawmakers drawn from the Senate and National Assembly have agreed to work together to eradicate the myriad challenges the region grapples with.

“We come from various parts of the country which have remained behind in development due to challenges such as banditry, famine, livestock rustling and drought,” Rasso said.

“Our regions are lagging behind in development for many years, we must come together to change our situation."

The MP disputed claims that elected leaders have been behind the incitement of the ethnic clashes witnessed in the Northern part of the country.

He termed the claims excuses used by previous regimes to run away from the real issues affecting the residents of the various counties which have been faced with various challenges.

Turkana West MP Daniel Nanok said that the pastoralists have been left behind for many years, reiterating their position that they want to make peace with each other.

Nanok asked the government to work closely with elected leaders in the regions to end the conflicts in the area.

He said that the millions of shillings being used in the security operation in the region could be used to buy food and other necessities for the area residents

“The 102 MPs from the Pastoralist communities across the country are committed to ensure that peace and harmony prevail in the vast region of the country which has lagged behind in development due to perennial conflicts which do not add any value to anyone,” Nanok said.

On his part, Tiaty MP William Kamket said that they are calling on the people they represent to embrace a ceasefire as they engage the government on the best way to handle the cases of insecurity since they no longer have a place in modern society.

Kamket said that they appreciated the government’s efforts to ensure that peace prevails in the various parts of the country experiencing banditry.

“We have agreed that no elected leader should support banditry and livestock rustling and that we should all preach peace in the country,” Kamket said.